Combination safety fuse plug



Oct. 19, 1954 M. GRAZIOSI 2,692,316

COMBINATION SAFETY FUSE PLUG Filed Jan. 4, 1952 4 5-55 5 &

INVENTOR. MIC/MEL GFflZ/OS/ Mum Patented Oct. 19, 1954 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE COMBINATION SAFETY FUSE PLUG Michael Graziosi, JerseyCity, N. J.

Application January 4, 1952, Serial No. 264,918

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a combination safety fuse plug, and moreparticularly to a plug attachment for wall outlets, extension cords andthe like containing independently replaceable fuse means therein.

It is an object of my invention to provide a novel, safety fuse plug ofsimple and economical construction for use with extension cords and thelike in electrical connections.

Another object of this invention is to provide a fuse plug at the sourceof connecting use of electricity to eliminate the necessity of going tothe main electric inlet whenever a fuse is blown.

A further object of the invention is to provide an efiicient, explosionproof fuse plug forming part of the connection with a source ofelectricity and to localize the searching of blown fuses for replacementthereof.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a well insulated,easily handled unitary fuse plug forming part of the prongconnectionswith a source of electricity in which the fuse members are segregatedfrom each other and can be readily and easily replaced.

A specific object of this invention is to provide a plug used forextension cords and the like, that will give maximum safety fromelectrical overloads, grounds and short circuits, by having a fuseplaced in each side of the line to correspond with the load or ampererating of the appliance to be connected to the electric line so as toeliminate and protect against fire hazards in electrical appliances,connecting lamps, etc., from currents, taps, outlets and receptacles.

Other objects and novel features of my invention will become apparentfrom the following detailed description of my invention taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front View of a preferred embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a somewhat enlarged side view of the embodiment in Fig. 1showing the interior of the embodiment having fuse clips in opencondition, but without the fuse connection therein;

Fig. 5 is an opposite side view of Fig. 4 showing the fuse connectionand fuse clips therein;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. '7 is a fragmental sectional detailed view of a portion of theembodiment shown in Fig. 1.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, in which similarreference characters denote like parts throughout, it will be noted thatI provide a plug iii, showing a body member H and removable face piecesi2 and I3, respectively. The upper part of said body member I I isprovided with an internally threaded opening M for the passagetherethrough of an insulation tube [5, containing electric conductors I6and H with terminals extending into the body member for connection. Saidinsulation tube 15 extends through an externally threaded bushing I8which can be screwed in the openin 1d.

Body member Ii is made of any non-conducting insulating material such asBakelite and the like and should be able to protect against shock, andthe like. The body member is provided further with recesses 19 and 28for said conductors l6 and ii, respectively. Said body member is alsoprovided with a cross recess 2| and 22, respectively on each of itssides for accommodating a metal plate 23 and 24, respectively. Each ofsaid plates accommodates a screw member 25 and 25, respectively, forholding said plates in position in the cross recesses 21 and 22,respectively. Said plates 23 and 24 are each provided with a screw 2'.and 28 respectively, for fixing the terminals of conductors i6 and H tothe plates 23 and 24 respectively.

Mounted on said metal plates 23 and 24, is a swivel connecting member orclip 29 and 30, respectively. It will be noted that each of said swivelmembers can be rotated through from a horizontal to a vertical positionas shown in Figs. 4 and 5 respectively.

Body member it is furthermore provided with a deep well 3| and 32 set ondiagonally opposite sides of said body member H which extend toward therespective faces of the body as shown in Fig. 3. Extending or dependingfrom body H are spaced prongs 33 and 34, each of which is fixed in thelower part of the body member by means of screws 35 and 36 respectively.Said prongs, it will be noted are substantially T shaped as seen, andare each provided with a connecting swivel plate or clip 3'1 and 38,respectively. The wells 3! and 32, as above indicated, are set deeply insaid body member [I and are each adapted to accommodate a fuse member 39and 40, respectively. Said fuses, as shown more clearly in Figs. 3 and6, are bent to conform with the depth of the well and follow the outlinethereof from upper swivel plate 29 to lower swivel plate 31, as shown inFigs. 4 to 6 inclusive.

Body member H is closed by means of face pieces 52 and i3 which are heldagainst said memher In. A central threaded opening 4! extends throughthe center of the member for accommodating knob screws 42 and 43,respectively, for keeping face pieces [2 and I3 in position against thebody member I I, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 6. Each of said face piecesis provided with an extension block 44 and 45, respectively, which aremade also of insulated material and are adapted for fitting in the wells3| and 32, respectively.

From the foregoing description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawing, it will be noted that I provide a safety fuse plugcontaining standard fuse elements of any desired ampere rating dependingupon the appliance used. Furthermore, by my device I avoid the necessityof making an inspection throughout the house or wherever appliances areused by limiting the inspection to the connecting conduits of appliancesto the source of electricity. I furthermore avoid the hazards of firecommonly caused by overloaded Wiring systems. In such cases, by the useof my device, the fuse element in the invention is burned out and thelocation of the trouble is localized whereupon the burned out fuseelement or elements can be readily removed by operating the swivelplates and a new fuse element or elements inserted in either of thewells. It is apparent that no tools or special implements are requiredto make this change.

According to my invention the safety fuse plug can be used generally onall electric extension cord Wires. Furthermore, the body structure iscomposed of highly insulating material and there is no exposure of themetal members which may cause electric shocks.

While a preferred embodiment of my invention has herein been describedand illustrated, it is to be understood that modifications as to form,arrangement of parts and use of materials may be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

1. An electrical plug of insulating material comprising a body member,conducting means for connecting inlet conductors thereto, saidconducting means being fixed in recesses separated from one another by aportion of the body member, outlet prong means, said conducting meansand outlet prong means being in communication with one another bydiagonally opposite and longitudinally extending wells, fuse means insaid wells connected to said conducting means and prong means and adetachable cover for each of said wells having an extension adapted tofit into the well to retain the fuse means in relatively rigid position.

2. An electrical plug of insulating material comprising a body member,conducting plates for connecting inlet conductors thereto, saidconducting plates being fixed in cross recesses on each side of the bodymember and separated from one another by a portion of said body member,spaced outlet prongs, said conducting plates and outlet prongs being incommunication with one another by diagonally opposite and longitudinallyextending wells, a fuse strip in each well connected to a conductingplate and an outlet prong and a detachable cover for each of said wellshaving an extension adapted to fit into the well to retain the fusestrip in relatively rigid position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,563,105 Pennington Nov. 24, 1925 2,030,016 McIntosh Feb. 4,1936 2,406,154 Medlin Aug. 20, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date753,844 France Aug. 21, 1933 623,418 Germany Dec. 19, 1935

